K-12, higher education leaders slam House’s proposed budget cuts

Topeka  The newest House Republican leadership plan to cut the budget was getting slammed today by representatives of public schools and higher education.

Kansas Board of Regents Chairwoman Donna Shank described the measure that would cut higher education by $40 million or 12 percent “as the most damaging budget proposal yet to surface.”

On Tuesday, Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee put together the bill as a way to address a $328 million budget deficit for the fiscal year that starts July 1. The proposal was scheduled for debate before the full House later today.

The measure would also cut public schools by approximately $150 million, or 4.75 percent .

The Kansas Association of School Boards issued a release that said the proposal “makes the deepest cut in education funding so far.”

The organization added: “Further education cuts will weaken the state's greatest economic development asset: a strong education system and highly educated workforce.”

The KASB said the House committee proposal was worse than one approved Tuesday by the full Senate that would reduce public school funding by 2.75 percent.

Shank added that the committee proposal would cause long-term damage to colleges.